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Festival · Okayama · Chugoku

Dogeza Festival

土下座まつり

An October festival in which a portable shrine is carried in a procession led by participants dressed as samurai, while local residents bow along the streets.

Daimyo Procession at the Dogeza Festival, Niimi
Daimyo Procession at the Dogeza Festival, Niimi © Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation
Dates
15 Oct 2027 Not yet confirmed
Venue
Funakawa Hachimangu Shrine1781, Niimi, Niimi City, Okayama
〒 718-0011
How to get there
Nearest stationNiimi Station
新見
Geibi Line · Hakubi Line · Kishin Line26 min walk from the station
Nearest bus stop新見高校前4 min walk from the bus stop

The annual festival, held on October 15th each year, features a captivating procession at its core. The highlight of this event is the grand parade with a portable shrine (mikoshi) at its centre. Leading the procession are two individuals who clear the path by wielding bamboo sticks and emphatically calling out 'bow down, bow down'. Following closely behind them are people dressed in traditional Samurai attire, carrying a portable shrine and a splendid array of weapons including swords, guns, bows, arrows, and more.

The procession begins at the Funakawa Hachimangu Shrine, makes its way through the streets of Miyaji-chou, and eventually returns to the shrine. Along the route, local residents adorn their houses with colourful drapes. It's a truly immersive experience as, during the parade, men along the streets kneel down in reverence.

Getting There

Map: Getting to Funakawa Hachimangu Shrine. Legend: Hakubi Line; Geibi Line; Kishin Line; Shinkansen; Bus from Niimi. Labelled stations: Okayama, Hiroshima, Shin-Kurashiki, Tsuyama, Kurashiki, Bitchu-Kojiro, Niimi.

Planning a trip? Fit this into a trip and Oni plans the rest around it.

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